Doune of Invernochty

The Doune of Invernochty is a massive ditched motte with an external bank and extensive system of water defences. The motte is natural in origin but has been scarped, and overlooks the junction of the Water of Nochty with the River Don. It is open to the public at all times, but the sides of the motte are steep and slippery, and there is no staircase.

The Doune was the seat of one of five Lordships that made up the earldom of Mar – Strathdon. It was probably founded in the late 12th or early 13th century, potentially by Earl Morggan, who seems to have been married to a member of the Warenne family, responsible for many large castles in England, and was therefore closely related by marriage to King William. When Morggan died, he was followed by Gillecrist, perhaps a younger brother, and Gillecrist by Morgann’s son Donnchadh. It seems likely that either Donnchadh or his son William abandoned the castle in favour of a new site at Kildrummy, although the parish church on the motte remained in use for a long time afterwards. It is feasible that the defences (there was a stone perimeter wall and a gate complex) were still usable during the Wars of Independence as 14th century pottery has been found onsite.

HES Canmore database entry